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Joe's Diary: The Cake

Went to see one of the local cake makers today (found in my Wedding Organizer) and I feel so much better about it now! She reassured me that many people don't like traditional fruit cake and that there are different options. I thought I'd list my favourites so I don't forget.

Three tiers: If we decide to go for the traditional we can still have a different flavour per tier (she advised that the lightest sponge be the top tier with heavier ones below). There are different options regarding how they can be stacked. Either one directly on top of the other, a stand designed to hold each tier separately or (and I love this one!) you can even have little vases that sit between the tiers that can be filled with flowers, petals, glittery things or whatever we like!

Lots of little cakes: We could have lots of cup cakes instead, and each one can be iced in our theme colour, our initials or a tiny sugar-craft design. It could be profiteroles or cream pastries - even egg custard tarts! She assured me that they would look just as striking as a tiered cake when arranged all together.

One cake in a particular shape: She showed me lots of pictures of past commissions that included a fairytale castle and even one that looked like a sofa with a sugar crafted model of the couple sitting on it! I bet Pete wants one shaped like a football...

Whatever we go for, she can tie it in with our theme, I just have to take along some samples of the colours from the waist coats - the table decorations will be good to take too. Being a good cake maker she needs at least 3 months notice, and will happily do us a little sample of the cake we choose. Like most cake makers, she can deliver to the venue and set it up. She suggested that it goes on its own table which can be decorated specially. What a great idea - everyone will be able to admire it and take pictures whenever they like.

The Groom's Cake

Apparently for straight weddings quite a few brides are ordering surprise cakes for the groom which can be in a different flavour ? just the thing for fussy grooms like mine! It's even called 'The Groom's Cake' (Pete would love that!). Actually, seeing as there are two grooms, maybe we'll have two cakes!

If we decide to go for the tiers she advised me on how to store the top tier for our first anniversary. Some flavours can be frozen, whilst fruit cake can be stored for quite a long time if kept in the right conditions (air tight, dry and cool). She'll even seal up any sugar craft for us in a special container so we can put it back when needed.

Even if we change our mind and get married abroad she can design a cake that's robust enough to carry onto the plane. She was amazing!

P.S.

Found out how the cutting is done: the caterers pre-cut the icing to avoid disaster and I'll hold the knife in my right hand, with Pete's over it. Apparently we hold the knife upside down for luck and make the cut whilst lots of pictures are taken. At some military weddings they cut the cake with a sword! Either the toastmaster or the Best Man will announce it, but we need to decide if we're having a separate dessert or not. If the cake is the dessert, we may need to cut it before the meal instead of after the speeches so the caterers can slice it up in time. I must make sure they keep any leftovers so we can send them to people who can't make it ? ooh, little cake boxes to do that must go on my list!